Mosman Wallaby great Phil Kearns to lead Australia’s bid for Rugby World Cup 2027

He was a winner for the Wallabies on the pitch and now Australian Rugby is backing Phil Kearns off it with a major new role.

Former Wallabies player Phil Kearns has snared a major role in world rugby.

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Two-time World Cup winner Phil Kearns will bring his silky skills off the field to one of the most important roles in Australian rugby.

The former Wallaby hooker, who has been touted as a top contender to take charge of Rugby Australia, will run Australia’s bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Kearns, whose daughter Tilly is with the Australian women’s water polo squad training for the delayed Tokyo Olympics, will take on the role of executive director and lead a team charged with securing the 2027 tournament to Australian shores.

Tilly Kearns with father Phil, who will run Australia’s bid for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

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Kearns’ business experience includes roles as Chief Executive of Centric Wealth and Managing Director at InterRISK Australia.

The Mosman resident and 67 Test veteran is also the driving force behind the annual Balmoral Burn which since the inaugural event in 2001 has raised more than $30 million for children’s hospitals.

Kearns’s new role will see him working with Federal, State and Local Government, World Rugby Member Unions and the Rugby World Cup 2027 Bid Advisory Board.

Anthony Minichiello and former Wallabies rugby player Phil Kearns contested the 2011 Sydney to Hobart together for charity.

“Phil will be front and centre of Rugby World Cup bid team and will lead our international relations to put Rugby Australia in the strongest possible position to win the right to host the 2027 showpiece.,’’ said Rugby Australia Chairman, Hamish McLennan.

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